Chapter 128 Chapter128

Chapter 128 Chapter128
Logan

The first thing I noticed when I stirred was that I was alone.

Siennas side of the bed was warm enough that I knew she couldn’t have been gone for a long time, but that didn’t soothe the rising panic in my chest. She always woke me up one way or the other when she got up first.

If I slept through her movements, it only meant one thing..

She made sure to be quiet.

I threw the covers and swung my legs to the side. For a few seconds I simply tried to convince myself that it wasn’t what I thought. Maybe she’d gone to check on Elias. Maybe she’d woken early and gone downstairs. Maybe–

My eyes caught the folded sheet of paper resting on my pillow.

My name was written across it in Sienna’s handwriting. I reached for the paper and unfolded it slowly, already knowing I wasn’t going to like what I was about to read.

Logan,

Before you get angry, I’m safe.

I let out a humorless breath. It was a little too late to not get angry.

I’ve gone to the neutral territory with Mara. I know what you’re going to say, and before you say it, no, I did not go alone. 

Mara insisted on coming, and I chose two warriors I know you trust. They’re with me every step of the way. Please don’t rush here. We’ll be fine, I promise.

I love you.

My fingers tightened around the paper. Somehow the anger I was feeling turned into fear. Folding the letter, I walked out of the room. The warrior stationed outside immediately straightened. “Which of the warriors haven’t been seen this morning?”

His expression changed but he knew better than to not say the truth.

“Wade and Kayden.” 

She was right; they were warriors I trusted. It still didn’t change the fact that I was deeply unhappy about the situation. “Have someone verify their route. I want confirmation that they crossed through the eastern gate and that they’re all accounted for.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And prepare six trackers.” 

He hesitated.

“To follow them?”

“No.” I looked at him sharply. “To be ready.” I wasn’t going to drag a royal force into neutral territory because my mate had decided she needed answers, not without knowing what awaited her there.

But I also wasn’t going to sit in the mansion and pretend I wasn’t counting every minute either.

“Map every route between here and the neutral territory” I ordered. “No one crosses the border. Not unless I give the command.”

The warrior bowed and left. I looked down at Sienna’s letter once more. She’d asked me not to rush after her. I still needed to figure out who Zane was communicating using the talisman.

I’d seen my mate in her element. The goddess could not have chosen a better partner for me.

I trusted her.



The communication talisman sat on my desk in the court room.

The object itself was small, but the magic woven into it was unmistakable.

Zane stood across from me, his skin pale. I lifted the talisman in the air before putting it back down. “Tell me why this was in your quarters.” His gaze dropped to the table, but he remained silent.

I didn’t want to take drastic measures, but I absolutely would if I needed to. “I do not want to repeat myself.”

Hearing the barely converted rage in my voice, his shoulders dropped. “They have my family.” His eyes were pleading when they lifted to mine. “The same people who took Elias kidnapped my mate and cub.”

My wolf surged violently beneath my skin.

“You’ve been communicating with them?”

Fear crossed his expression before he covered it. “I had no choice.”

“There is always a choice.”

His face twisted with shame. “They have my mate and cub.” He repeated solemnly. I heard the guilt he wasn’t trying to hide, but I also heard the helplessness of someone whose family was under risk.

And I could relate more than I liked.

“How long have you been in communication with them?”

His voice was small. “Few days before Elias was taken.” My fists instinctively tightened. “They told me they would kill my family if I refused to cooperate. I thought they were planning an attack we would easily win..”

The atmosphere in the room changed as I stood to my feet and circled the table. I took menancing steps towards him, relishing the look of fear his eyes. “It’s in your best interest that you tell me all the information you’ve gathered.” 

A nerve ticked in his jaws but he started talking. “They mentioned something about using him for a ritual. Something about an Elden child and the right bloodline. I was waiting for the right time to let you know–“

I raised my hand to shut him up. The damage had already been done. Musing his words over in my head, I walked back to my seat. It was over for him whether he knew it or not.

Sienna was hours into neutral territory. Elias was still being held captive by Dorian. And somewhere beyond our borders, someone was preparing a ritual using his blood.

I hated that I couldn’t go after Sienna without fully understanding what we’re dealing with. I leveled a cold stare at Zane. “You’re going to keep communicating with them.” His eyes widened. “They believe they control you because they have your family. Let them keep believing it.”

I moved the talisman on my table and gestured for him to pick it up. “You’re going to become my double agent. You will tell them exactly what I instruct you to tell them, and you will learn everything you can about their plans.”

His throat. “My King.. and my family?”

“I’ll bring them home.” That familiar feeling nudged at my chest. “I give you my word.”

He bowed his head and exited the room. I turned my attention to the warriors flanking the door. “Send two of our best trackers to join the search and try to locate his family, and then send for Kael.”

It was finally time.

Kael was in the court room in a heartbeat. “Prepare the royal guards.” He gave me a nod and left. Nothing else needed to be said.

If someone truly intended to use Elias’s blood for a ritual, then whatever game they had started–

I was going to end it before they got the chance to finish.

It was time to stop playing it safe.